By Naomi Sharang
Former Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, has called on Africans to embrace self-reliance and revive the continent’s rich cultural heritage as a pathway to sustainable development.
Gambari, Founder and Board Chairman of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, made the call on Tuesday at the public presentation of the book, “Renegade Africa: All It Takes Is To Be African”, authored by Prof. Moudjib Djinadou.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Djinadou is the Founder and Executive Director of the Tumor Institute Think Tank, Benin Republic.
Gambari noted that the book was a timely contribution to discussions on Africa’s future, stressing the need for the continent to draw on its history, culture and values to achieve sustainable development.
He said the Savannah Centre was honoured to sponsor the presentation of a book that examines how Africa can reclaim its lost glory and project its own narrative to the world.
“We have tried other models; economic, political and social, but they are not delivering the kind of results we desire.
“This book is really about African sovereignty over its resources, culture, history and self-definition,” he said.
According to him, the book’s relevance lies in its emphasis on African solutions to African challenges and the need for Africans to define who they are, where they have come from and where they want to go.
Gambari said Africa’s youthful population remained its greatest asset, adding that the continent’s future, and indeed that of the world, would depend on the quality of education, training and opportunities available to young people.
He also underscored the importance of fostering dialogue among Africans themselves, rather than relying solely on engagements with external partners.
“We have been having conversations with everybody else but ourselves. We engage Europe, China, India, Japan and the United States, but we must first have conversations among our own people.
“These discussions should go beyond governments and leaders to include citizens, who are the true engine of growth and development,” he said.
Speaking on the book, Djinadou said it sought to inspire Africans to rediscover their historical greatness and build on it to achieve a continental renaissance.
He argued that Africa’s future lies not in creating entirely new identities but in reconnecting with the strengths and achievements that existed before colonial disruption.
“Africa must fulfil the destiny of making the greatest comeback in history. The key word is comeback.
“We once had great and well-organised societies. We need to understand who we were and use that knowledge to shape who we can become,” he said.
Djinadou said the book especially targets young Africans, encouraging them to learn about their history and identity as a foundation for future progress.
He stressed the need for an educational system that teaches Africans about themselves and equips them to contribute meaningfully to the continent’s development.
Reviewing the book, Dr Dimad Garba said the author was right in asserting that no nation could achieve authentic progress while neglecting its history.
“The history of a people is more than a chronology of events; it is a repository of experiences, lessons and knowledge about what works, what does not, and how society can move forward,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Tosin Kolade
